How to Install Shower Doors: A Step-By-Step Guide
If you have reached the article, then it is very likely that you searched something along the lines of ‘how to install shower doors’. So, welcome to the right place for all of the information that you need. In fact, you probably aren’t aware of quite how much information you might need to actually begin and then perfectly execute your shower bathroom door installation.
Before you started thinking of how to install shower doors, you’ve probably never given any thought to the many different types of shower doors there are. Design style may have an impact on installation so you need to decide which is the most suitable for your bathroom or shower cubicle. What you need then are some short and simple answers to what are the different types of shower doors so you have some groundwork before you go out to buy a new shower door.
- Sliding Shower Door
This is a shower door that is a very popular choice thanks to its efficient space-saving design. It consists of two or more panels that slide smoothly on tracks, allowing easy access to the shower enclosure. It can also be fitted on a tub.
- Pivot Shower Door
Pivot shower doors are hinged at one side and swing outward or inward. They are very versatile and can be installed in both alcove and corner shower setups which makes them a good choice for a lot of different bathroom setups.
- Frameless Shower Door
Frameless shower doors are a very chic design that offers a sleek and modern look by eliminating the need for bulky metal frames. They are made from thick tempered glass which provides a clean and open appearance to your bathroom’s shower space.
- Framed Shower Door
A framed shower door commonly features an aluminum or stainless steel frame that surrounds the glass panel, much like a window. They provide structural support and come in a variety of finishes to match different bathroom styles for maximum versatility.
- Bi-Fold Shower Door
Bi-fold shower doors consist of two separate panels that are hinged in the middle, which allows them to fold inward for easy access. They are an ideal choice for smaller bathrooms that might be tight on space.
- Curved Shower Door
This type of shower door, as the name suggests, has gently curved glass panels that work to create a really unique and stylish look. They are often used in corner shower unit enclosures, adding an effortlessly elegant touch to the bathroom. They also work best for tubs that have an extra wide curved end for a shower.
- Neo-Angle Shower Door
Neo-angle shower doors are designed for corner showers that have an angled entrance. They typically feature a hinged or pivot door along with two fixed glass panels that come together to form an attractive diamond shape.
- Steam Shower Door
Steam shower doors are specially designed to seal in steam and create a steam room-like experience, a really luxurious addition to a ‘normal’ bathroom. They are made of tempered glass and have a super tight seal in order to prevent any steam from escaping.
- Frosted Shower Door
Frosted shower doors offer privacy by obscuring the view inside the shower to anybody on the other side of the doors. These doors can be fully frosted or have decorative patterns, adding a touch of style while still maintaining maximum discretion.
- Custom Shower Door
Custom shower doors, as you might imagine, are tailored to fit specific shower enclosures, accommodating any unique sizes, shapes, and design preferences that you might have in your bathroom. They provide a personalized touch and can be made using various materials and finishes depending on what you want to achieve with your own bathroom project.
When you have selected which type of shower door panel you are going to be using for your bathroom project, all that is left to do is figure out how to install a new shower door for yourself! In the grand scheme of large-scale home DIY projects, installing shower doors fits firmly in the middle of the ladder. Is it hard to install a shower door? It isn’t the easiest job in the world, but if you are good at following instructions on how to install shower doors and have suitable DIY skills and the right tools, then it is by no means the hardest either.
How to Install Shower Doors
What you need is our simple step-by-step guide for how to install shower doors. Of course, some of the more specific stages are going to vary depending on whether you are performing a sliding shower door installation versus a different kind, but on the whole, these tips for how to add a shower door will be good enough to satisfy most people’s quest for ‘how do you install a glass shower door’.
1. Gather The Necessary Materials And Tools
When considering how to install shower doors, the first thing that you will need to do is gather all of the tools that might be needed in order to complete the job. This includes
- The chosen shower door kit including the door panels
- Seals and hardware
- Measuring tape
- Drill
- Level
- Screwdriver
- Pencil
- Some good quality silicone sealant
2. Make Preparations
If you’re replacing an existing shower door, remove it and any associated hardware. You should also clean the area to ensure the removal of any remaining sealant or any other residue as well as for general household cleanliness. If you use a cleaning solution, ensure you rinse it off very well as you want new sealant to adhere securely and make a firm bond.
3. Take the Measurements
There’s an old saying about DIY that you should measure three times and cut once. Although you won’t be cutting, still measure three times to ensure accuracy. At this stage, it is a good idea to read the instructions that have come from the manufacturer of the shower door kit in case there are any specific measurements that they require.
4. Install The Bottom Track
In the question of how to install shower doors, the installation of the shower doors begins with fixing the bottom track or threshold. You will need to measure and mark the position on the floor of your shower, making sure the whole time that everything remains level. Use your prepared screws (or adhesive if the manufacturer specifies) to secure the track in place. When finished, have another check with your level to ensure that the base foundation of the shower door is perfectly level.
5. Hang The Door Panels
The next stage is to very carefully lift those shower door panels and hang them onto the top track or the rollers that are in place. You will need to make sure that they align properly with the bottom track that has just been installed, as well as any side tracks that are necessary for the design. It is crucial to check for levelness at every stage of this process, as you can adjust as needed along the way.
6. Install Door Handles And Hardware
The next thing to do is attach the door handles, hinges, and any other pieces of hardware that have come as part of the shower door unit set, all, of course, according to the instructions on how to install shower doors provided by the manufacturer. For the vast majority of units, all you will need to achieve this is a screwdriver or a drill; either of these tools will help to secure the components firmly in place.
7. Apply The Silicone Sealant
Once all hardware is in place and panels are level, it is time to apply the silicone sealant that puts the finishing touches on the project. You will need to apply silicone sealant along the edges of the door panels, the tracks, and any gaps that might be present between the show walls and the door frame. The effect that this has is achieving a watertight seal that helps to prevent leakage. You can smooth out the sealant with either your finger or a dedicated caulk tool, your choice!
8. Allow Curing Time
Once the sealant is in place, you will need to give it time to cure, and the recommended time for this will be included in the instructions provided by the manufacturer. You won’t be able to use the shower to bathe during this curing time, because giving it enough time to fully cure without having to deal with moisture will create the proper bond and waterproofing that is needed.
9. Test The Shower Door
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, so once the curing time has passed, it is time to test out the shower door to see how well it was installed. You can begin such a test by simply opening and closing the doors several times to check for smoothness of operation and correct alignment. If something feels like it is sticking or creaking, then you can make the necessary adjustments to the hardware or the tracks, whichever component is causing the doors not to function properly.
10. Clean And Finish
And finally, the last thing to do is make sure that you clean any excess sealant and smudges away from the glass panels that you have just installed, as well as all of the surrounding surfaces. Also, it is good practice to wipe down the entire shower door and shower cubicle space to remove any dirt and debris that might have been churned up when you were in the middle of the installation process.
You don’t want to have to rely on your shower plug hole to handle all of the debris and dirt that might come away when bathing for the first time, as it is likely to cause a blockage. Once the shower unit has been cleaned and you have double-checked that everything is sealed and aligned, you can be confident in a job well done!
It is good to keep in mind that these instructions should be taken as a general guideline for the installation of many traditional and common types of shower doors. It is always crucial to refer to the specific instructions of the make and model that you are installing, as there may be slight variations to the order of instructions and more. Of course, if you remain unsure about the level of skill that you can bring to a task like this, then there is nothing wrong with enlisting the help of a professional handyman to come and install your shower doors for you instead!
Whether going the DIY route at home or making the decision to hire a pro, the main thing is that you end up with high-quality shower doors and a functional and aesthetically pleasing shower enclosure!